Monthly Archives: January 2014

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Detectives from the Montgomery County Police – 1st District Investigative Section have been investigating a series of commercial burglaries that occurred between December 10 and December 11, 2013. Detectives believe that the same suspect is responsible for all of the burglaries.

On December 10, at approximately 11:32 p.m., 1st District officers responded to the BP gas station located 16210 Frederick Road for a commercial burglar alarm. Upon arriving, officers discovered that the business had been burglarized. Multiple commercial alarms were then received at several businesses along Frederick Road (MD 355). While responding to these alarms, officers discovered additional burglaries had been committed.

The following burglaries were discovered:

Dunkin Donuts located at 16220 Frederick Road, Suite 104

Express Pharmacy located at 16220 Frederick Road, Suite 100

BP gas station located at 16210 Frederick Road

Shell gas station located at 15701 Frederick Road

Five additional burglaries were also discovered that are under investigation by the Gaithersburg Police Department and Rockville City Police Department. These burglaries include:

Corner Bakery located at 1 Grand Corner Avenue (GCPD)

Lindt Chocolate located at 3 Grand Corner Avenue (GCPD)

Taco Bar II located at 10003 Field Road (GCPD)

Subway located at 15106B Frederick Road (RCPD)

Kwik Stop Beer and Wine located at 15104 Frederick Road (RCPD)

In all of the burglaries, the suspect gained entry into the businesses and stole cash and other merchandise.

Today, detectives are releasing a video surveillance photo of the suspect believed to be involved in these burglaries and are asking for the public’s assistance in identifying him. The suspect is described as an unknown race male wearing light blue jeans, a dark blue or black hoodie, tan boots, a dark knit cap, and yellow and black gloves.

Anyone with information regarding these burglaries or the identity of the suspect is asked to call Crime Solvers of Montgomery County toll-free at 1-866-411-TIPS (8477) or leave a Crime Solvers tip here. Crime Solvers will pay a cash reward of up to $10,000 for information provided to them that leads to an arrest and/or indictment for these felony crimes. Tipsters will remain anonymous.

Detectives from the Montgomery County Police Department-Major Crimes Division continue to investigate a bank robbery that occurred on January 13 at a Bank of America in Chevy Chase. Today, detectives are releasing surveillance photographs of the suspect and are asking for the public’s assistance in identifying him.

On Monday, January 13 at approximately 4:39 p.m., officers responded to the Bank of America located at 4411 South Park Avenue in Chevy Chase for the report of a bank robbery.

Investigation revealed that the male suspect entered the bank and passed a note to the teller. The note demanded money and implied that the suspect had a weapon. The suspect received an undisclosed amount of cash and exited the bank.

The suspect is described as a black male, approximately 25 to 30 years old, 5’07″ – 5’10″ tall, and with a medium build. He had a band-aid on his right cheek.

Detectives are asking anyone with information about this robbery to call Crime Solvers of Montgomery County toll-free at 1-866-411-TIPS (8477) or leave a Crime Solvers tip here. Crime Solvers will pay a cash reward of up to $10,000 for information provided to them that leads to an arrest and/or indictment for this felony crime. Tipsters will remain anonymous.

Detectives from the Montgomery County Police – Major Crimes Division are continuing to investigate a shooting that occurred last evening involving an off-duty Montgomery County Police officer. The incident occurred last night at approximately 8:06 p.m. at the officer’s residence in the 7400 block of Lake Katrine Terrace in Gaithersburg.

Preliminary investigation has revealed that the 58-year-old officer, his 53-year-old wife, and their 25-year-old son were in the residence. At some point, the officer heard an altercation between the son and mother. The officer came to the aid of his wife who had been stabbed by the son. The exact sequence of events is still under investigation but it is believed that the officer shot his son with a handgun. The officer then called 911.

The son was pronounced deceased on the scene. The mother was transported to a local hospital where she was pronounced deceased.

The officer involved is identified as James Stirkens, a 27-year veteran of the Montgomery County Police Department. He is assigned as a patrol Sergeant in the Silver Spring District. He has been placed on routine administrative leave.

The deceased are identified as Denise Stirkens, age 53, and Christopher Stirkens, age 25.

The investigation is continuing and no charges have been placed.

Anyone with information is asked to call detectives in the Major Crimes Division at 240-773-5070.

Detectives from the Montgomery County Police – Major Crimes Division are investigating two robberies that occurred at the Choice Market in Gaithersburg on January 17 and January 24. Detectives believe that the same suspect is responsible for both of these robberies.

On January 17, at approximately 6:40 p.m., 6th District officers responded to the Choice Market located at 18700 Walkers Choice Road for a report of a robbery. Investigation revealed that the suspect entered the store and asked the cashier for cigarettes. When the cashier opened the cash register, the suspect displayed a handgun and demanded money. The suspect obtained an undisclosed amount of cash and fled from the store.

On January 24, at approximately 1:00 p.m., 6th District officers again responded to the Choice Market for a report of a robbery. Investigation revealed that the suspect entered the store, displayed a handgun, and demanded money from the cash register. The suspect obtained an undisclosed amount of cash and fled from the store.

Today, detectives are releasing photos of the suspect from both robberies and asking for the public’s assistance in identifying him. The suspect is described as a white or Hispanic male, 5’6″ to 5’9″ tall, and weighing 180 to 210 pounds. During the first robbery, the suspect was wearing a dark-colored knit hat, a dark-colored bandana over his face, and an Orioles jacket. During the second robbery, the suspect was wearing a black bandana over his head, a white bandana over his face, and a green winter jacket with a black stripe.

Anyone with information regarding these robberies or the suspect involved is asked to call Crime Solvers of Montgomery County toll-free at 1-866-411-TIPS (8477) or leave a Crime Solvers tip here. Crime Solvers will pay a cash reward of up to $10,000 for information provided to them that leads to an arrest and/or indictment for these felony crimes. Tipsters will remain anonymous.

Detectives from the Montgomery County Police – Collision Reconstruction Unit are investigating a fatal, single vehicle collision that occurred early this morning in Rockville.

This morning at 1:50 a.m., 2nd District patrol officers and fire rescue units were dispatched for a personal injury collision on Nebel Street at Old Georgetown Road. The preliminary investigation indicates that a 2001 Ford F-250 pickup truck was traveling eastbound on Old Georgetown Road and making a left turn to northbound Nebel Street. For reasons still under investigation, the operator of the vehicle lost control and struck a utility pole. The driver was pronounced deceased at the scene.

The driver is identified as Rufino Pangramuyen Lopez, Jr., age 26, of the 4400 block of Bel Pre Road in Rockville.

Anyone with information about this collision is asked to call the Collision Reconstruction Unit at 240-773-6620.